Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Art Basel Miami Beach

Miami Beach#1 Art & Design Event The 16th edition of the massive art fair hosted 268 galleries from 32 countries and brought in 82,000 visitors compared to 77,000 the previous year. As a result of a renovation at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the five-day show featured a redesigned exhibition layout that included a new floor plan and 10 percent more exhibition space. Next: December 6-9, 2018

Photo: Courtesy of Art Basel

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

The Armory Show

New York#2 Art & Design EventThe 24th edition of New York’s biggest art fair featured 198 galleries from 31 countries, including 66 new exhibitors. This year’s event drew in 65,000 attendees and featured a new layout designed by Bade Stageberg Cox, which was highlighted by a new Town Square on Pier 92 and an expanded Focus section. The Focus section displayed 28 international galleries with solo or dual-artist presentations. In June, Eliza Osborne was appointed the show’s deputy director. Next: March 7-10, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of The Armory Show

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

NeoCon

Chicago#3 Art & Design Event The commercial design industry event celebrated its 50th edition this year, marking the milestone with special retrospective events and an anniversary party. The three-day event featured 500 companies, including 100 brands new to the event, as well as 25 new interactive displays and installations. The event also partnered with creative agency Maiarelli Studio to create a new campaign and an updated logo. More than 50,000 people attended. Next: June 10-12, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of NeoCon

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Diffa Dining by Design

New York #4 Art & Design Event Diffa’s 21st annual design fund-raiser to fight H.I.V./AIDS drew more than 40,000 attendees to Pier 92, which included 1,200 at the Cocktails by Design event and more than 500 at the opening-night gala. Tito’s Handmade Vodka sponsored the event and designed a Texas-inspired booth that doubled as a bar. The five-day event showcased around 40 table installations designed by brands like Crate and Barrel, art schools such as Pratt, and designers including the Rockwell Group. This year’s event raised more than $700,000. The event was co-located with the 17th edition of Architectural Digest Design Show, which drew more than 38,000 designers and fans and featured displays from more than 400 brands. Next: March 2019

Photo: Alan Berry

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Dwell on Design

Los Angeles#5 Art & Design Event For its 13th year, the modern design event returned to the Los Angeles Convention Center and featured speakers including designer Jonathan Adler and Savannah College of Art and Design founder Paula Wallace. The three-day event expanded deeper into Los Angeles, with the addition of the Modenus Design Trail, which offered self-guided tours covering 21 showrooms in the Melrose and La Cienega design district. The event also held a new opening-night reception at Row DTLA. Next: April 2019

Photo: Brian McCarthy

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Academy Awards

Los Angeles #1 Award Show There were no best picture mix-ups at the 90th annual Oscars, but this year the ceremony made headlines by weaving in the #MeToo movement through host Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue, a Time’s Up video montage, and best actress winner Frances McDormand’s acceptance speech, which introduced the public to the term "inclusion rider." Other event highlights included Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi love story The Shapeof Water taking best picture and a massive proscenium on the Dolby Theatre stage that incorporated 45 million Swarovski crystals. The ratings hit a historic low, however, drawing 26.5 million viewers—a drop that moved the Academy to announce major changes to future ceremonies, beginning with a shortened telecast in 2019. Next: February 24, 2019

Photo: Mark Ralston/Getty Images

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Primetime Emmy Awards

Los Angeles #2 Award Show (up from #3) The 70th edition of the ceremony was hosted by Saturday Night Live duo Colin Jost and Michael Che, and broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater on NBC. Netflix narrowly topped HBO with the most nominations this year, which was the first time in 17 years that the latter network didn’t receive the most nominations. However, HBO series Game of Thrones received the most nominations with 22, and took home the award for best drama at the end of the night. Other big winners included The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Next: September 2019

Photo: Jerry Hayes

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Golden Globes

Los Angeles#3 Award Show (up from #4) The 75th anniversary of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s celebration of film and television was the first award show of the season to address sexual harassment scandals that affected Hollywood following the accusations against Harvey Weinstein. Many attendees wore all-black attire as a form of silent protest, while high-profile celebrities also wore “Time’s Up” pins that supported the new anti-harassment initiative. Seth Meyers hosted the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, where Oprah Winfrey received a standing ovation for her electrifying speech as she received the Cecile B. DeMille award. Next: January 6, 2019

Photo: HFPA Photographer

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Grammy Awards

New York#4 Award Show The Grammys returned to New York to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary after 15 years in Los Angeles, with a ceremony hosted by James Corden that took place at Madison Square Garden. The show, which saw a 24 percent drop in ratings from the 2017 broadcast, received criticism for its lack of equal gender representation with best new artist winner Alessia Cara the only woman to receive a major award, and Lorde, the only woman nominated for best new album, was the only artist in that category who didn’t perform. Recording Academy president Neil Portnow drew backlash after saying women in the music industry needed to “step up,” and announced he’d be stepping down as president when his contract expires next year. The ceremony will return to Los Angeles in 2019. Next: February 10, 2019

Photo: Andre Maier

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

ESPY Awards

Los Angeles#5 Award Show (up from #6)The 26th annual ceremony celebrating the best in sports had a major female presence in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Danica Patrick was the show’s first female host, and ESPN awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage to the female survivors of sexual abuse by former U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. 2018 Winter Olympics breakout star Chloe Kim won best female athlete, while Alexander Ovechkin won best male athlete. Next: July 2019

Photo: Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Tony Awards

New York #6 Award Show (up from #7)Bucking a recent trend for televised live events, the 72nd edition of theater’s biggest night saw an increase in ratings from the previous year—the CBS broadcast drew 6.3 million viewers compared to 6 million in 2017. Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles co-hosted the ceremony, which featured an emotional performance by the drama students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School—where 17 people were killed in a mass shooting—and a profanity-laced speech from Robert DeNiro, who called out Donald Trump. The Band’s Visit took home multiple awards, including best musical. Next: June 2019

Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards

Los Angeles#8 Award ShowCelebrating outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, the 49th annual award show drew 2,400 attendees to the Pasadena Convention Center. Black-ish star Anthony Anderson hosted the ceremony for the fifth consecutive year, and also won outstanding actor in a comedy series for the role. His co-star Tracee Ellis Ross won outstanding actress, and the ABC series took home the award for best comedy. Girls Trip won the award for outstanding motion picture, while Ava DuVernay was awarded entertainer of the year. Next: January 2019

Photo: Courtesy of N.A.A.C.P.

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

South by Southwest

Austin#1 Music FestivalThe 32nd annual celebration of technology, film, television, and music drew 432,500 people to Austin this year. With attendance higher than the previous year, the festival made it easier to check the status of a venue’s remaining capacity with a color-code system on the event’s app; when rooms reached capacity, many keynotes were streamed on Facebook Live. Featured keynote speakers included Esther Perel, Barry Jenkins, Darren Aronofsky, Melinda Gates, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. One of the festival’s standout activations was HBO’s recreation of the Westworld theme park, which was awarded SXSW’s first Best Immersive Experience Award. Next: March 8-17, 2019

Photo: Travis P Ball/Getty Images for SXSW

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Indio, California#2 Music Festival Beyoncé became the first black woman to headline the desert music festival, which drew a record audience of 750,000 attendees over two weekends. The singer performed her hits in a two-hour set that was an ode to the football halftime shows at historically black colleges, and featured the reunion of Destiny’s Child. The Weeknd and Eminem also headlined the 19th edition of the festival, which featured activations from big-name brands such as American Express, Playboy, and Absolut. Next: April 12-21, 2019

Photo: Rose Curiel

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Lollapalooza

Chicago#3 Music FestivalThe annual four-day festival drew 100,000 attendees per day to Chicago’s Grant Park, with performances from 180 artists including the Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Jack White, and Travis Scott. While the event has faced rainy weather for many years, this year the festival dealt with soaring temperatures that reached into the 90s. New festival elements included a ping-pong area and more cocktail lounges, as well as a general admission ticket add-on that offered fans access to more shaded areas, air-conditioned restrooms, and discounted alcoholic drinks. Next: August 1-4, 2019

Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Summerfest

Milwaukee#4 Music FestivalThe massive Milwaukee music festival in June and July faced three days of excessive heat warnings and two days of rain, but still drew 766,192 attendees over 11 days. The festival featured a number of high-profile performers appearing there for the first time including Janelle Monáe, Kesha, Shawn Mendes, and Arcade Fire. The event held its inaugural Summerfest tech roundtable discussion in partnership with the Milkwaukee Business Journal, spotlighting technology companies in Wisconsin. Next: June 2019

Photo: Abe Van Dyke

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Austin#5 Music FestivalThe 16th edition of the music fest drew 450,000 people over two weekends to Zilker Park, shortly after the mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival in October 2017. The festival increased security with safety measures including a larger police presence, and producer C3 Presents offered refunds to attendees who decided not to attend. Headliners at the event included Jay-Z, the Killers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Next: October 5-14, 2018

Photo: Roger Ho

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

New Orleans#6 Music FestivalSome 450,000 people attended New Orleans’s 49th annual jazz festival, which dedicated an entire tent and stage to the city’s tricentennial. High-profile headliners this year included Sting, Leslie Odom Jr., Lionel Richie, Beck, Sheryl Crow, and Anita Baker. The festival, which is presented by Shell, will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Next: April 26-May 5, 2019

Photo: Douglas Mason

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Outside Lands

San Francisco#7 Music Festival (new to the list)Northern California’s biggest music festival drew more than 200,000 people to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The event featured Janet Jackson, the Weeknd, and Florence & the Machine as headliners, as well as more than 100 other acts. New at the 11th annual festival was Grass Lands, a curated cannabis experience that featured educational sessions, product showcases, and a delivery service booth. Next: August 9-11, 2019

Photo: FilmMagic

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Spoleto Festival USA

Charleston, S.C.#8 Music Festival The 42nd season of the performing arts festival drew more than 65,000 people to Charleston. The festival made $3.3 million in ticket sales, the second-highest total in the event's history. Over 17 days, the event featured 158 performances that included four U.S. premiere productions and four world premieres. Next: May 24-June 9, 2019

Photo: William Struhs

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

CMA Music Festival

Nashville#9 Music FestivalThe 47th edition of the country music festival featured headliners like Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, as well as a surprise appearance by the Backstreet Boys with Florida Georgia Line. With 191,154 attendees, attendance was slightly down from the previous year, and the Nissan Stadium venue failed to sell out for the first time in years. Attendance at the festival’s fan event Fan Fair X increased 10 percent from the previous year with 71,000 attendees. Next: June 6-9, 2019

Photo: John Russell/CMA

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference

Sun Valley, Idaho#1 Business & Financial Industry EventThe 34th edition of the exclusive, five-day gathering of media and business moguls—hosted and funded by private investment firm Allen & Company—was rocked by the #MeToo movement this year. Conference regular Harvey Weinstein was left off the invite list, while Charlie Rose, who was still invited, skipped the event after being fired from CBS and PBS over sexual harassment allegations. Summit guests included Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, Shari Redstone, and Rupert Murdoch. Next: Summer 2019

Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Summit

Washington#2 Business & Financial Industry EventThe ninth edition of the annual summit, which hosts lawmakers and policy experts, presented the theme “Debt Matters,” examining the need for a fiscal reset following tax and spending legislation that added to the national debt. Speakers included House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Senators Jeff Flake and David Perdue. Next: May 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Peter G. Peterson Foundation

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Sohn Investment Conference

New York#3 Business & Financial Industry Event The Sohn Conference Foundation’s 23rd annual investment conference, a go-to event for notable hedge-fund managers to unveil new investment ideas, debuted the new Ira Sohn Stock Game. The fantasy stock game gave players one million tokens worth of fantasy capital to construct an investment portfolio—the $100 donation to participate went to the foundation’s mission of treating pediatric cancer, and the player with the highest performing portfolio was awarded two complimentary tickets to attend the 2019 edition. Since the conference's launch in 1995, it has raised more than $85 million for the foundation's work. Next: April 2019

Photo: Heidi Gutman/CNBC

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Roth Conference

Los Angeles#4 Business & Financial Industry Event (up from #5) The 30th annual invite-only event for finance professionals, hosted by investment banking firm Roth Capital Partners, drew more than 4,700 attendees to the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Executives from more than 500 companies made presentations at the event’s daytime sessions, while high-profile performers, including Pat Benatar, performed at the conference’s evening events, which were produced by Elite Productions International. This year, Roth reached its $1 million mark in contributions for the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation, a nonprofit the conference has raised money for since 2011.

Photo: Sage Justice

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Milken Institute Global Conference

Los Angeles#5 Business & Financial Industry Event The Milken Institute’s 21st annual gathering drew more than 5,000 attendees from more than 60 countries to see a diverse lineup of world leaders and public figures speak on the topic of “Navigating a World in Transition.” This year’s speaker roster included Jane Goodall, Tom Brady, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, editor and author Arianna Huffington, and actress and #MeToo activist Ashley Judd. Next: Spring 2019

Photo: Amy Mayes for the Milken Institute

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

UBS Global Media & Communications Conference

New York#6 Business & Financial Industry Event The 45th annual conference drew more than 1,300 professionals from approximately 70 mid- to large-cap media and communications companies, representing the C-Suite. Featured speakers included John Stephens, chief financial officer of AT&T, and Matt Ellis, chief financial officer of Verizon. Next: December 3-5, 2018

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Robin Hood Foundation Gala

New York#1 Benefit The 30th anniversary of the Robin Hood Foundation drew nearly 4,000 guests to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with a gala that paid homage to past editions and the city of New York. The “Lights of New York” theme featured a design by David Stark Design and Fabrication that incorporated 45 signs mimicking the cityscape. For the first time, the foundation declined to reveal how much money was raised, but event co-chair Paul Jones said the total exceeded that of 2017, when the benefit raised $54.5 million. The event featured performances by comedians Leslie Jones and Michelle Wolf, Broadway star Cynthia Erivo, and Jennifer Lopez. Next: May 2019

Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Naples Winter Wine Festival

Naples, Florida#2 Benefit (up from #4)The Naples Children Foundation & Education Foundation raised $15.1 million for underprivileged children in Collier County, bringing its fund-raising total to $176 million since the wine festival was launched in 2001. This year’s gathering drew 620 guests to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort and honored chef Gary Danko of Restaurant Gary Danko and vintners Kary and David Duncan of Silver Oak. The event’s 61 auction items included a private dinner and living room concert with country singer Thomas Rhett and a 10-day trip to South Africa for two couples. Next: January 25-27, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Naples Winter Wine Fest

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Tipping Point Community’s Annual Gala

San Francisco#3 Benefit (up from #7) The 12th edition of the San Francisco gala was once again the highest-grossing benefit in the city, raising more than $14 million to fight poverty in the Bay Area. Attendees included Fortune 500 C.E.O.s, professional athletes, and billionaire philanthropists. The event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium included a dinner for 1,000 guests by Tyler Florence, a performance by Leon Bridges, and an event design by Stanlee Gatti. Next: May 2019

Photo: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Museum of Modern Art’s Party in the Garden

New York#4 Benefit The Museum of Modern Art annual garden party drew more than 600 guests for the dinner that honored philanthropist Agnes Gund, while some 1,300 guests attended the after-party that included a performance by St. Vincent. For the first time, the event's layout switched: The benefit took place in the art institution’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, for which it raises funds. The museum did not release a fund-raising total. Next: May 2019

Photo: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Two x Two for AIDS and Art Gala & Auction

Dallas#5 Benefit The 19th annual benefit dinner and contemporary art auction raised more than $7.3 million for Amfar, the Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art. Five hundred guests attended the black-tie event, which was chaired by Nasiba and Thomas Hartland-Mackie and hosted by Cindy and Howard Rachofsky at their Richard Meier-designed home. Todd Fiscus of Todd Events designed the forest-theme dinner. Next: October 28, 2018

Photo: Courtesy of Two x Two

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Crystal Charity Ball

Dallas#6 Benefit (up from #8) The 65th annual black-tie gala, which marks an end to the Dallas social season, drew more than 1,500 guests to the Hilton Anatole in 2017. The event was themed “An Evening in the Alps,” and featured a snow-theme design from event designer Tom Addis. The gala raised more than $5.8 million for local children’s charities. Next: December 1, 2018

Photo: Haynsworth Photography

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Fight Night

Washington#7 Benefit (up from #9)Raising money to support early childhood education, the 28th edition of Washington’s biggest benefit raised $4.3 million in 2017. For the first time, the event partnered with the Professional Fighters League to bring mixed martial arts to the event, which hosted 1,800 guests at the Washington Hilton. Entertainment included Laith al-Saadi from NBC’s The Voice and the band Royal Machines. This year’s benefit will be headlined by Flo Rida. Next: November 1, 2018

Photo: Kevin A. Koski

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars Viewing and After-Party

Los Angeles#8 Benefit (new to the list) Elton John’s annual fund-raiser continues to stand out as a must-attend event for A-listers on Oscar night, taking over a 40,000-square-foot tent in West Hollywood. This year, the event raised $5.9 million in one evening. The benefit includes a dinner, live auction, and performance by an up-and-coming musician; 2018 featured rock band Greta Van Fleet. In the past 26 years, the event has raised more than $62 million to help people at risk for or living with H.I.V./AIDS. Next: February 24, 2019

Photo: Claire Hoffman/BizBash

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

After School Matters Gala

Chicago#9 Benefit (up from #11) The 2017 Chicago gala raised more than $3 million to support some 24,000 opportunities for teens to work in the arts, sports, communications, leadership, and STEM. The benefit was one of the first events to be held at Chicago’s new Wintrust Arena, with 720 guests attending. Event highlights included a dinner on the arena floor and program with master of ceremonies Bill Kurtis. Guests left with desserts created by teens in the After School Matters organization’s Advanced Culinary program. Next: September 24, 2018

Photo: John Martin-Eatinger

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Apollo in the Hamptons

East Hampton, New York#10 Benefit Apollo Theater’s ninth annual fund-raiser took place in August at the home of Apollo vice chairman Ronald O. Perelman’s home in East Hampton. The event had performances by Chaka Kahn, Sting, Jamie Foxx, Jon Bon Jovi, and Chris Martin, and notable guests included Robert Downey Jr., Jimmy Fallon, and Spike Lee. While the theater didn’t release the fund-raising total for this year, it noted the theater has raised more than $20 million since the benefit’s inception in 2010. Next: August 2019

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Comic-Con International

San Diego#1 Entertainment Industry Event The world’s most high-profile pop culture convention still drew more than 130,000 people to San Diego this year, but big-name studios and franchises, including Marvel Studios, HBO, and Star Wars, all skipped the 49th annual event. Activations from brands including Hulu, NBC, Syfy, and Taco Bell, as well as panels from Sony, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. filled in the gap. The convention also won a lawsuit over its trademark in December, meaning no other convention can use the term “comic-con” in its title. Next: July 2019

Photo: Jorge Vargas/Grandesign

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Sundance Film Festival

Park City, Utah#2 Entertainment Industry Event The 34th edition of the film festival was directly affected by the #MeToo movement, offering a slate of films and programming focused on women’s issues. Events included a speech by Gloria Allred, panels with actors and creators focused on the roles of women in Hollywood, and screenings of films such as The Miseducation of Cameron Post, a film about a queer woman sent to a gay conversion camp, which won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic. The festival drew 124,900 attendees and brought in $191 million in economic impact to Utah. Next: January 24-February 3, 2019

Photo: Jonathan Hickerson

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

National Association of Broadcasters Show

Las Vegas#3 Entertainment Industry Event The annual media, technology, and entertainment trade show drew more than 93,000 attendees from 165 countries to the Las Vegas Convention Center. This year’s event featured five new conference programs focused on innovations in advertising, the business of sports entertainment, podcasting, streaming, and esports. The event also had a new N.A.B. Achievement in Broadcasting Dinner and We Are Broadcasters Program, recognizing excellence in the broadcasting and media industry. The show floor hosted 1,700 companies, 244 of which were new exhibitors. Next: April 6-11, 2019

Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Kennedy Center Honors

Washington#5 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #6) The 40th annual ceremony in 2017 honored Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Carmen de Lavallade, Norman Lear, and LL Cool J—marking the first time the event has honored a hip-hop artist. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were noticeably not in attendance at the city's signature cultural event, which featured speeches by Caroline Kennedy and Dave Chapelle, and performances by Stevie Wonder, Luke Bryan, and Leona Lewis. The upcoming ceremony will honor Cher, Reba McEntire, and Hamilton. Next: December 2, 2018

Photo: Scott Suchman/The Kennedy Center

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Television Critics Association Press Tour

Los Angeles#6 Entertainment Industry Event The semiannual press tour featured presentations from Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and National Geographic, along with a first-time presentation from Facebook, which now offers original content on Facebook Watch. The summer press tour ended with the 34th annual T.C.A. Awards; for the third consecutive year, FX was the ceremony’s top winner, taking home four awards. The association also presented Rita Moreno with the career achievement award. Next: January 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Television Critics Association

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

ATX Television Festival

Austin#7 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #8) The television festival continues to grow in both its programming and size, with 3,000 people attending the eighth edition this year. Highlights of this year’s event included the premiere of HBO’s Sharp Objects, a Felicity reunion, and a first look at the Sons of Anarchy spinoff Mayans MC, which included a stunt that involved the cast and creators leading the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally down Congress Avenue. Next: June 6-9, 2019

Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

New York Fashion Week

New York#1 Fashion Industry Event With more designers foregoing traditional runway shows in favor of see-now, buy-now presentations—and with more designers showing in other countries—fashion industry experts continue to question the relevance of New York Fashion Week. However, the biannual IMG-produced affair still made a splash in the city for its September 2018 edition: Visa activated for the first time with a designer vending machine and lounge, while Nike and LeBron James presented Harlem’s Fashion Row’s awards and show. Rihanna closed out the week with an event showcasing her new Savage x Fenty collection. Next: February 2019

Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala

New York#2 Fashion Industry EventThe Met Gala has turned into one of the year’s must-watch events for pop culture fiends—especially those eager to see how A-list celebrities take on the theme. Famously held the first Monday in May and overseen by Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour, this year’s event was inspired by the museum’s exhibition “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” Event co-chair Rihanna donned a glammed-out papal outfit, while attendees including Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, and Chadwick Boseman were among the 550 guests who wore outfits interpreting Catholicism by top fashion designers. The event’s design inside the museum was helmed by Raul Avila, and included a 30-foot-high floral replica of a papal tiara. The benefit, which raised more than $13 million, featured a performance by Madonna. The event also served as a pivotal plot point for the female-led, summer blockbuster heist film Ocean’s 8. Next: May 6, 2019

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/MG18/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Awards

New York#3 Fashion Industry Event For the first time in its 37-year history, the C.F.D.A.’s award gala left Manhattan for Brooklyn. Insecure creator and star Issa Rae hosted the black-tie event at the Brooklyn Museum, which had 550 guests and honorees including Cate Blanchett, Naomi Campbell, Kim Kardashian, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren, who received the council’s first Members Salute. Swarovski sponsored the event for the 17th year, and Stefan Beckman served as creative director. An official after-party took place at Dumbo House in Brooklyn. Next: June 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Council of Fashion Designs of America

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Miami #1 Food Industry Event The Food Network and Cooking Channel-sponsored festival’s 17th annual edition drew more than 60,000 attendees for nearly 100 events, which took place at venues throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The five-day event honored Bobby Flay at its annual tribute dinner and also incorporated musical performances by Smash Mouth, Action Bronson, DJ Hannah Bronfman, and more at various events. Sponsors, including Bacardi, Absolut, King’s Hawaiian, and Illy, had buzzy activations. Next: February 20-24, 2019

Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

James Beard Foundation Awards

Chicago#2 Food Industry Event The James Beard Foundation’s annual awards were once again held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, hosting more than 2,000 attendees. The event, which was emceed by Carla Hall, had the theme of “Rise,” celebrating the culinary community and power of food. Chefs and attendees wore pins saying what they “rise” for, and nearly 30 of the gala’s chefs were former James Beard Foundation Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change participants. Eleven of the 15 winning chefs were a woman or person of color. Next: May 6, 2019

Photo: Kent Miller

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

New York City Wine & Food Festival

New York #3 Food Industry Event The festival celebrated its 10th anniversary last fall with more than 70 events across the city. New events included a Smorgasburg event hosted by the cast of Chopped; a mixology event for women hosted by Food Network’s Anne Burrell and the women of cocktail competition Speed Rack; and Broadway Tastes, a brunch event with stars of the stage, hosted by actress Kristin Chenoweth. The festival drew 45,000 attendees. Next: October 11-14, 2018

Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Vegas Uncork’d

Las Vegas#4 Food Industry Event The four-day festival drew more than 6,000 people to Las Vegas, with favorites such as the Grand Tasting, which featured more than 50 chefs and 100 wine and spirit brands. The Picnic at the Park event also returned, offering dishes from MGM Resorts chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the Voltaggio brothers, and Michael Mina at the area between Park MGM and New York-New York. New programming included the debut of Gordan Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at Caesars Palace and women’s power lunch with chefs Susan Feniger and Christina Tosi and restaurateur Elizabeth Blau. Next: May 2019

Photo: JamieY Photography

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Tales of the Cocktail

New Orleans#5 Food Industry Event The first iteration of the bar industry event took place under the new ownership of Gary Solomon Jr., after founder Ann Tuennerman stepped down last fall following a string of racially charged incidents. One of the most striking changes was the event’s first-ever booze-free party, held by William Grant & Sons—the brand’s goal was to show they could present the brand to bartenders without having to serve alcohol. This year, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation provided $250,000 in grants to 11 organizations and also introduced a series of free seminars on topics such as diversity, inclusion, and harassment in the bar industry. Next: July 16-21, 2019

Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

Aspen, Colorado#7 Food Industry EventFood & Wine’s 36th annual mountaintop food festival drew 5,000 attendees for events that included a kick-off celebration that highlighted Peruvian cuisine, in partnership with the Trade Commission of Peru. The festival showcased the 10 honorees of the magazine’s Best New Chefs—a list that featured seven women, the most ever—at an area at the Grand Tasting. The chefs were also honored at the 30th anniversary Food & Wine Best New Chefs Dinner, which invited six past recipients to create a five-course meal. Next: June 14-16, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest

New York#8 Food Industry Event The annual hot dog-eating competition attracts more than 20,000 people to Coney Island on July 4, and also draws more than one million viewers to its live broadcast on ESPN. This year, Joey Chestnut won his 11th title and set a contest record by eating 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Miki Sudo won the women’s competition, eating 37 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Next: July 4, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Nathan's Famous Hot Dog

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

New York#1 Festival, Parade & Holiday EventThe 91st annual Thanksgiving Day parade draws more than 3.5 million spectators to Manhattan, and more than 50 million viewers nationwide. This year featured 17 giant character balloons, 26 floats, 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. Performers included 98 Degrees, Andra Day and Common, the Goo Goo Dolls, Flo Rida, and the casts of Broadway musicals Spongebob Squarepants and Once on This Island. Next: November 22, 2018

Photo: Carol Seitz

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

New Year’s Eve in Times Square

New York#2 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event The massive New Year’s Eve event draws one million people to New York’s Times Square to see the ball drop, with the countdown broadcast on programs including “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC. The 46th annual broadcast, which has been hosted by Ryan Seacrest for the past 12 years, included performances by Nick Jonas, Sugarland, Camila Cabello, and Mariah Carey, whose performance redeemed her disastrous 2016 effort. For CNN’s broadcast, Andy Cohen replaced Kathy Griffin as co-host after the comedian was fired for a controversial photo shoot depicting a beheaded Donald Trump. Next: December 31, 2018

Photo: Courtesy of Countdown Entertainment

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Mardi Gras

New Orleans#3 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event The massive New Orleans carnival celebrated the city’s tricentennial this year and generates more than $840 million for the local economy annually. The main event on Fat Tuesday draws an estimated 1.4 million spectators to see people donning purple, green, and gold at parades, picnics, and more celebrations. Next: March 5, 2019

Photo: Paul Broussard

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Tournament of Roses

Los Angeles#4 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event The theme of the 2018 New Year’s Day Rose Parade presented by Honda was “Making A Difference,” and celebrated the power of kindness and people making a positive difference in their communities. Earth, Wind & Fire made a surprise appearance on the Forum float at the parade, which drew 700,000 spectators. The Rose Bowl Game was attended by 92,844 football fans. Next: January 1, 2019

Photo: Lionel Hahn

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Houston #5 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event The 2018 edition of the nation’s largest rodeo show debuted a new, 48-foot star-shape stage, which held performances for musicians including Garth Brooks, who returned to perform at the event for the first time in 25 years. Total attendance reached 2,408,550 with paid rodeo and concert attendance reaching 1,346,388. The event, which committed $2.17 million to its contestants this year, used an aerial NavCam in the stadium for the first time to capture new angles and perspectives; the technology is similar to what’s used in the N.F.L. Next: February 25-March 17, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Essence Festival

New Orleans#6 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event (up from #8) The 24th annual consumer conference and music festival geared toward black women was famously featured in last year’s comedy Girls Trip, and saw its highest attendance ever this year at more than 510,000 people. More than 100 influencers, leaders, creators, and celebrities participated in the festival’s daytime experience, which was rebranded as Conference & Expos. The daytime event featured programming across nine tracks such as beauty and style, entertainment, food, and personal finance. Music headliners included Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, and the Roots. Next: July 4-7, 2019

Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Essence

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Washington, D.C.#7 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event This year’s festival, which typically draws 1.5 million people to the nation’s capital, celebrated the 106th anniversary of Tokyo gifting cherry blossom trees to the city. Festival events included the annual opening Pink Tie Party fund-raiser, the Embassy of Japan’s opening ceremony at the Warner Theatre, a parade that featured grand marshal Carla Hall, and an Instagram-friendly pop-up bar created by Drink Company. Next: March 20-April 13, 2019

Photo: Chris Ferenzi Photography

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade

San Francisco#8 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event One of the largest L.G.B.T.Q. events in the country, the 48th annual parade featured more than 270 contingents and 50,000 marchers along Market Street, with an estimated 100,000 spectators. Brands including Twitter, Equinox, and Postmates displayed eye-popping floats. The pride celebration and rally at Civic Center Plaza was headlined by Kehlani, and speakers included Kate Kendell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Dr. Cynthia Gomez of Planned Parenthood. Next: June 29-30, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Equinox

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque#9 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event Presented by Canon, the world’s largest gathering of hot air balloons saw attendance increase to 887,798 festivalgoers for its 46th year in 2017. The picturesque event, which had the theme “Inflate your Imagination,” featured balloons from 23 countries, with Scotland participating for the first time. This year’s festival, “Get Carried Away,” will host more than 550 hot air balloons, including 10 new special-shape balloons. Sponsors include Krispy Kreme, Coca-Cola, and 7-Eleven. Next: October 6-14, 2018

Photo: Bennie Bos

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner

Washington#1 Political Event Donald Trump once again skipped the Washington’s annual “nerd prom” due to his ongoing tense relationship with the media, but his absence wasn’t the buzz of the Washington Hilton soiree—comedian Michelle Wolf, the evening’s entertainer, delivered a roast that targeted members of the Trump administration, including White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was in attendance. Wolf’s set was condemned by journalists and praised by comedians, and the head of the White House Correspondents Association posted an apology to Twitter. Surrounding the dinner were events from media mainstays like CNN and Politico, while Playboy held its first-ever event, positioning itself as a champion of the First Amendment and a forum for discussing cultural issues. Next: Spring 2019

Photo: Annual Garden Brunch

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

State of the Union

Washington#2 Political Event Though the event was Donald Trump’s second speech to a joint session of the United States Congress, the speech was technically the 45th president’s first State of the Union address. During the speech, Trump spent a good amount of time revisiting what he said he accomplished during his first year in office and a few proposals he wanted to see in the coming year. The president didn’t mention the special counsel investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion with members of his campaign. According to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS, 48 percent of Americans who watched the address had a “very positive” impression of the speech, making it the lowest net positive rating for a State of the Union since the network first asked the question in 1998. The address was watched by 45.6 million viewers and garnered 21 million interactions on social media. Next: January 2019

Photo: Shealah Craighead

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

National Rifle Association Annual Meeting & Exhibits

Dallas#3 Political Event The 147th annual N.R.A. convention marked the first time in history that both a sitting president and vice president addressed association members; the convention, however, banned guns during Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s speeches. Unsurprisingly, the convention wasn’t met without controversy, given the ongoing debate on gun control in the U.S. A Dallas city councilman pushed to have the convention moved to a new city, as it took place after numerous mass shootings, including a high school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people in February, and the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas shooting that killed 58 people last October—the deadliest mass shooting by an individual in U.S. history. This year’s convention was the largest ever, with 87,154 attendees. Next: April 26-28, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of the N.R.A.

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference

Washington#4 Political EventMore than 18,000 people attended this year’s conference, whose host organization works to strengthen and promote the relationship between Israel and the U.S. in ways that enhance the security of both nations. More than two-thirds of Congress attended the event, which featured speeches from Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The conference continues to be the largest bipartisan gathering of members of Congress other than the State of the Union address. Next: March 24-26, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of AIPAC

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Aspen Ideas Festival

Aspen, Colorado#5 Political Event Presented by the Aspen Institute in partnership with the Atlantic magazine, the annual festival is one of the country’s premiere public gatherings for thought leaders from across the globe. The festival, which drew around 2,700 attendees, focused on health and wellness for the first few days during its Spotlight Health program, and then expanded to focus on tracks like “Seismic Shits,” “The Art of Justice,” and “Staying Human in a High-Tech World.” This year’s Afternoon of Conversation, a signature festival event, combined stage discussions with a live performance by Broadway actors, followed by panel discussions on the wider impact of theater. The event opened with a discussion between John Kerry and Andrea Mitchell on geopolitics. Next: June 23-29, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Aspen Ideas Festival

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Netroots Nation Conference

National#6 Political Event (new to the list) The largest annual conference for America progressive political activists had its most content ever this year in New Orleans, with 100 panels and 70 training sessions for its 2,800 attendees, who include online organizers, grassroots activists, and independent media makers. Speakers at this year’s event included U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Cory Booker. The conference was founded as YearlyKos in 2006 by writers and editors of the liberal blog Daily Kos. Next year’s conference will take place in Philadelphia. Next: July 11-13, 2019

Photo: Kerry Maloney

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Super Bowl

National#1 Sports EventThe Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 to win Super Bowl LII, which took place at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Justin Timberlake headlined the Pepsi-sponsored halftime show, where he performed a medley of his songs as well as a tribute to hometown legend Prince. Brands including DirecTV, Playboy, and Maxim held major events during the weekend, but ESPN opted out for the first time in more than a decade to focus on its College Football Playoff presence. The game averaged 103.4 million viewers, making it the least-watched Super Bowl since 2009. Next year’s game will take place in Atlanta. Next: February 3, 2019

Photo: Lorie Shaull

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

N.C.A.A. Men’s Final Four

National#2 Sports Event (up from #3)The 2018 tournament was one of the most viewed and attended events in its history, with more than 97 million watching the game broadcasts throughout the tournament and 67,831 people attending the championship game at San Antonio’s Alamodome. Villanova dominated the tournament and defeated Michigan 79-62 to win its second national championship in three years. Next year’s tournament will take place in Minneapolis. Next: April 6-8, 2019

Photo: Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

World Series

National#3 Sports EventThe Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to three to win their first World Series and become the first team from Texas to do so. Game 7 of the baseball championship’s 113th edition, which took place at Dodger Stadium, drew 28.22 million viewers—30 percent down from the 2016 Game 7 when the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years. Still, the 2017 championship was the second most-watched baseball game broadcast in more than 13 years. Next: October 23-31, 2018

Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

U.S. Open

New York#4 (up from #5) The annual tennis tournament celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, highlighted by the completion of the five-year, $600 million transformation of the U.S.T.A. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and a new logo. Notably, the tournament’s women’s final ended in dramatic fashion, with Naomi Osaka defeating Serena Williams—a game that was marred by confrontations between Williams and the umpire, who issued three penalties against her. Due to 100-plus degree temperatures, the tournament implemented its first Extreme Heat Policy, which gave players the option of a 10-minute break between certain sets. The event’s buzzy highlights included an opening night performance by Kelly Clarkson and interactive, tech-fueled experiences from sponsors American Express and I.B.M. Next: August 26-September 8, 2019

Photo: Brian Friedman/USTA

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Daytona 500

Daytona Beach, Florida#5 Sports Event Austin Dillon won the 60th running of the Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series race, driving a No. 3 Chevrolet—a car that racing legend Dale Earnhardt drove when he won the Daytona 500 in 1998, and when he was killed in an accident in 2001. According to ESPN, Dillon is the second driver to win the race after leading only the final lap. Ratings hit a record low, earning a 5.3 rating and 9.3 million viewers on Fox. Next: February 17, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Daytona 500

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Masters Golf Tournament

Augusta, Georgia#6 Sports Event The 82nd edition of the tournament was won by Patrick Reed, who shot 1-under-par 71 to finish 15-under, ahead of Rickie Fowler. This was the 27-year-old’s fifth Masters Tournament, and previously he had never finished in the top 20. CBS’s coverage of the final round saw an 18-percent jump in ratings, with an average of 13 million viewers—making it the most-watched final round of the Masters since 2015. Next: April 11-14, 2019

Photo: Rusty Jarrett/Augusta National

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Kentucky Derby

Louisville, Kentucky#7 Sports EventJustify and jockey Mike Smith braved the event’s wettest weather in history to win the 144th running of the race. The win marked the first time since 1882 that the race was won by a three-year-old horse that didn’t race as a two-year-old—and also marked the sixth year in a row that the favorite has won. Ratings for the race tied a 12-year low, as NBC’s broadcast scored an 8.5 rating and 14.9 million viewers. Next: May 4, 2019

Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Chruchill Downs

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Boston Marathon

Boston#8 Sports EventIncessant rain and wind along with cold temperatures marred the 122nd running of the Boston Athletic Association race, which had 30,000 runners and around 500,000 spectators. Desiree Linden became the first American woman to win the marathon in 33 years. On the men’s side, Yuki Kawauchi of Japan beat defending champion Geoffrey Kirui for his first major marathon win. Next: April 15, 2019

Photo: FayFoto Boston

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

New York#9 Sports Event The 142nd edition of the dog show expanded its coverage this year, airing the competition for three consecutive days on Fox, FS1, and Nat Geo Wild, while also airing the finals of the fifth annual Masters Agility Championship on Fox. Flynn, a five-year-old Bichon Frise, won Best in Show at Madison Square Garden. More than 3,200 dogs across three sports competed in the show, which reached its confirmation limit of 2,800. Next: February 9, 11-12, 2019

Photo: Jack Grassa

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

C.E.S.

Las Vegas#1 Technology Industry EventMore than 184,000 attendees and some 4,000 exhibitors descended upon Las Vegas for this year’s massive tech event. The 51st edition faced criticism for its lack of women speakers, as well as a major power outage, but still offered a hub for high-profile brands to show off their latest products and innovations. Brands including Spotify, Humanscale, and Polaroid showcased visual, interactive booths on the trade show floor, while highlights outside of venues included Intel’s drone light show over the Fountains of Bellagio and the deployment of Lyft and Aptiv’s first-ever self driving cars. The event also set a record with 63,784 international attendees—more than a third of the entire show attendance. Next: January 6-11, 2019

Photo: Tim Causa

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Dreamforce

San Francisco#2 Technology Industry EventSalesforce’s annual tech conference drew more than 171,000 attendees from 91 countries, as well as 10 million online viewers for four days of keynotes, sessions, and trainings. Former first lady Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker of the event, which also featured discussions with Natalie Portman, Will.i.am, and Marc Benioff and Google Cloud C.E.O. Diane Greene. The conference also raised $10 million for U.C.S.F. Benioff Children’s hospital and filled 1,500 backpacks for hurricane-affected communities. Next: September 25-28, 2018

Photo: Jakub Mosur Photography

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

E3

Los Angeles#3 Technology Industry Event The Entertainment Software Association drew more than 69,000 video-game-industry professionals from 100 countries to the three-day expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, as well as 3,250 products and video games from more than 200 exhibitors. For the second consecutive year, the sold-out event welcomed 15,000 fans for panels and presentations at Novo at L.A. Live. New to the show this year was the 7,500-square-foot E3 ESL Arena Stage, which held a live esports competition inside the convention center, highlighting the increasing popularity of esports. The event showcased eye-catching booths from Epic Games, Nintentdo, Bethesda, and more. Next: June 11-13, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of E3

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Google I/O

San Francisco#4 Technology Industry EventGoogle’s 12th annual three-day developer conference drew more than 9,000 attendees each day to the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, and continues to expand its innovative experiences and Instagrammable photo ops. This year, the conference added a ninth stage and incorporated more information-sharing—attendees could scan their badges at any session to receive more information on the particular topic. New programming included educational “inspiration sessions,” which included a panel featuring Black Panther producer Hannah Beachler, who discussed designing for inclusion. Next: May 2019

Photo: Courtesy of Google

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Oracle OpenWorld

San Francisco#5 Technology Industry Event (up from #6) The 21st edition of the user conference drew more than 60,000 customers and partners from 175 countries, as well as 18 million live-stream viewers. The event unveiled a new series of session formats developed in collaboration with Stanford University, as well as a redesigned exhibition hall. The event also highlighted work with the community and for the environment, including Oracle Academy’s JavaOne4Kids and Plant a Billion Trees. Speakers included Joseph Gordon-Levitt, former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, and Los Angeles Clippers executive consultant Jerry West, while the Chainsmokers and Ellie Goulding headlined the Oracle CloudFest. Next: October 22-25, 2018

Photo: Charlotte Fiorito/CompassPhotograpers

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Apple Worldwide Developers Conference

San Jose#6 Technology Industry Event The 29th edition of Apple’s annual developers conference once again featured a keynote led by C.E.O. Tim Cook, where he introduced the latest updates for iOS 12 and the new MacOS. The conference drew 6,000 attendees from 77 countries. The event took place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, but was also accompanied by satellite developer events and adjacent parties in San Jose, including NextDoor developers conference at the Hilton San Jose, the design-focused Layers conference at Montgomery Theater, and the annual Loop Bash party at the Ritz. Next: June 2019

Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

North American International Auto Show

Detroit#1 Trade Show Organized by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, the largest auto show in North America continues to thrive. This year, the event drew 809,161 attendees and had an economic impact of $480 million—up $30 million from the previous year. The show saw 218 brands participate and a 40 percent increase in startup participation. The event also raised nearly $5.1 million for local southeastern Michigan children’s charities from its annual single-night fund-raiser. Next: January 19-27, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of North American International Auto Show

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

WWDMagic

Las Vegas#2 Trade Show Offering the largest selection of women’s and men’s apparel and accessories in the industry, the biannual fashion-industry trade show announced a strategic partnership with online B-2-B fashion marketplace FashionGo, ahead of its latest iteration in August. The partnership led to the launch of a new area, On:Line, which featured 30 emerging brands hand-selected by show executives to showcase samples of their collections. The latest show featured a performance by pop singer Jojo. This year, the show didn’t release attendance numbers, but last year brought 85,000 attendees to the Mandalay Bay and Las Vegas Convention Centers. Next: February 5-7, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of WWDMagic

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show

Chicago#3 Trade Show The 99th edition of the National Restaurant Association’s hospitality trade event was its largest ever, taking over 715,000 square feet and drawing 65,000 registrants to McCormick Place. New programming this year included the Restaurant Revenue Growth Conference at the Marriott Marquis, and the Chicago Stars Mixology Competition—a competition held in partnership with Choose Chicago and the Illinois Restaurant Association, featuring bartenders from 10 top Chicago venues. The event also had new show floor areas including the Water Cooler, a specific area for crowdsourced discussions and industry meetups, and the Balancing Act, an area that provided attendees with ideas and demos about wellness and personal health. Next: May 18-21, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of National Restaurant Association

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

High Point Market

High Point, North Carolina#4 Trade Show Held every spring and fall, the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world has 11.5 million square feet of showroom space, takes place across 180 buildings, and draws more than 75,000 people and more than 2,000 exhibitors to each edition. Additionally the show brings in an economic impact of $5.4 billion. Ten percent of attendees are international, and more than 100 countries are represented. Next: October 13-17, 2018

Photo: Courtesy of High Point Market

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

Atlanta#5 Trade Show Held at AmericasMart Live, the latest edition of the semiannual event was headlined by Martha Stewart, Bethenny Frankel, and Trisha Yearwood. AmericasMart was the new venue for the show’s Icon Honors, which featured a keynote presentation by Arianna Huffington. New to the trade show was Shop the Show, a curated shopping experience led by lifestyle influencers, and the Museum Collective, a curated merchandise collection produced under a new partnership between the venue and the Museum Store Association. The event drew 90,323 attendees in January and 85,104 attendees in July. Next: January 8-15, 2019

Photo: Elle Wood Photography

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

S.E.M.A. Show

Las Vegas #6 Trade Show (Up from #8) Showcasing automotive specialty products, the 2017 edition of the trade show had 2,400 exhibiting companies and 162,000 attendees. Notably, last year’s show featured the new presence of Advanced Driver Assistance System products. From lane departure warnings to automatic braking systems, show exhibitors continue to embrace what is currently valued as a $1 billion industry. Next: October 30-November 2, 2018

Photo: Courtesy of S.E.M.A. Show

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Design & Construction Week

Las Vegas/Orlando#7 Trade Show For the second year, the co-location of the National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show and National Association of Kitchen & Bath’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show returned to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, drawing more than 85,000 attendees. With more than 2,000 exhibitors and one million square feet of exhibit space, the trade show continues to grow—in 2018, the event also saw 16 supporting organizations representing dealers, designers, contractors, and manufacturers. The show will return to Las Vegas next year. Next: February 19-21, 2019

Photo: David Aleman/f-stop Photography

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Arnold Sports Festival and Expo

Columbus, Ohio#8 Trade Show Named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, the multi-sport event celebrated its 30th anniversary this year with a record attendance of 200,000 people, who watched 22,000 athletes compete in 80 sports and events. Dr. Robert Goldman, who founded the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, received in the Lifetime Achievement Award. Next: February 28-March 3, 2019

Photo: Sarah Stier

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

NAMM Show

Anaheim#9 Trade Show (up from #11) The National Association of Music Merchants show is the country’s largest event for the music products industry, and this year the event drew 115,085 attendees to the Anaheim Convention Center. The 2018 event saw an expansion of 200,000 square feet of trade show floor space, as well as a new educational center in the Anaheim Hilton. New educational partners included the Audio Engineering System and the Entertainment Services Technology Association. The event garnered 1.3 billion impressions on social media. Next: January 24-27, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of the National Association of Music Merchants

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

Offshore Technology Conference

Houston#10 Trade Show The 50th edition of the NRG Park-based event drew 61,300 attendees, down slightly from the previous year. The event, which draws offshore energy industry experts from across the globe, focused on subjects including the current state of the industry, reducing costs and improving overall value, and breakthrough technologies in a low-oil price environment. It had more than 2,300 exhibiting companies representing 44 countries, and the exhibition covered more than 585,000 square feet. Next: May 6-9, 2019

Photo: Rodney White/OTC

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

BookExpo America

New York#11 Trade Show This year, the largest gathering of book trade professionals held its inaugural “Introduce an Indie” scholarship—a program designed in collaboration with the American Booksellers Association and nine regional bookseller associations to bring up-and-coming booksellers to the trade show, which was held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. Organized by Reed Exhibitions, the show drew 7,732 attendees and 473 exhibitors. Next year, the event will be co-located with the New York Rights Fair. Next: May 29-June 2, 2019

Photo: Enrique Malfavon

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Top 100 Events in the United States 2018

ReCon the Global Retail Real Estate Convention

Las Vegas#12 Trade Show Created by the International Council of Shopping Centers, the world’s largest gathering of retail real estate professionals draws 37,000 industry professionals and 1,200 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center. New programming this year included Innovation Exchange, a two-day exposition focused on how technology is changing the retail experience. Retailers exhibited products and services, and attendees could experience hands-on access to the latest product offerings, attend live demos, and learn from technology leadership at demonstrations and speaker sessions. Next: May 19-22, 2019